Dudley man arraigned for theft of a dozen car batteries

DUDLEY — A 25-year-old local man was arrested for allegedly helping steal a dozen batteries from construction vehicles at a gravel pit site.

Ryan Christian of 42 Oxford Ave., Apt. 3R, was charged with breaking and entering in the nighttime with the intent to commit a felony, larceny of property over $250, possession of burglary tools, larceny over $250 by false pretense and trespassing.

The thefts were reported Tuesday morning from the Rampco Construction gravel pit on Oxford Avenue. The total loss in batteries and other property was estimated to be in excess of $6,000, said Police Officer Marek Karlowicz.

While on patrol on Wednesday, Police Sgt. Paul Ceppetelli stopped a pickup truck matching the description of the one suspected in this incident.

Battery cables were found in the vehicle's rear, and the theft victim identified them as belonging to the damaged construction vehicles. The batteries were later recovered from a scrap yard in Millbury, police said.

Mr. Ryan was arraigned Wednesday in Dudley District Court. His bail was set at $100. A pretrial hearing is slated for Oct. 17.

Police said further investigation revealed that two others were involved in the thefts. The police said they will be charged.